Rush on citizenship applications ahead of Brexit referendum

Red Squirrel Publishing, the leading independent publisher of British citizenship test study guides, has reported a 400% spike in sales following the announcement of the Brexit referendum date. The sudden interest has been caused in part by EU nationals seeking to secure their residency in the UK and to safeguard against the uncertainty of withdrawal from the EU.

The news comes just days after figures released from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs showed a steady spike in the number of British citizens applying for Irish passports in the past year.

George Sandison, Managing Editor said,

“We’ve only recently published our updated 2016 study guides but are already rushing through a reprint to meet demand.”

“The announcement of the referendum date has definitely brought home just how uncertain the future is. The process for obtaining British citizenship is time-consuming so it’s no surprise that people are suddenly looking to complete this process as quickly as possible”, Sandison said.

According to the Office of National Statistics, it is estimated that a British withdrawal from the EU could affect up to 3 million EU nationals already living in the UK. To be eligible for British citizenship these people would need to satisfy various criteria including: having been resident in the UK for at least 5 years, taking an English language test, and passing the Life in the UK Test.

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Note to editors

Red Squirrel Publishing is a UK-based publishing house. Their range of British citizenship test study guides have helped over half a million people achieve their goal of becoming British since the first edition was published in January 2006. Now in its tenth edition, the original definitive guide is expressly designed to help people pass the Life in the UK Test.

The Life in the UK test is a compulsory requirement for those applying for permanent residence in the UK or a British passport. To pass the test applicants must score 75% on a 24-question multiple choice test. Questions cover subjects such as British history, cultural figures such as artists, sportspeople and inventors, and British law and government. Migrants from non-English speaking countries must also get an English speaking and listening qualification at level B1 (Intermediate) on the ECFR.